Since 2003, '''[[Wikitravel:About|Wikitravel]]''' is the original [[:shared:Copyleft|free]], complete, up-to-date and reliable '''worldwide travel guide''', and the premier travel wiki on the Internet. So far we have [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}]] English-language destination guides written and edited by [[Wikitravel:Wikitravellers|Wikitravellers]] from around the globe, and thousands more in other languages (see left navigation bar for the full list). Check out the [[Wikitravel:Help|Help]] page to see how [[Wikitravel:Welcome, newcomers|you]] can edit any page '''right now''', or the [[Wikitravel:Project|Project]] page for more information about Wikitravel and getting involved.

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Since 2003, '''[[Wikitravel:About|Wikitravel]]''' is the original [[:shared:Copyleft|free]], complete, up-to-date and reliable '''worldwide travel guide''', and the premier travel wiki on the Internet. So far we have [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFPAGES}}]] English-language pages written and edited by our [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFUSERS}}]] registered [[Wikitravel:Wikitravellers|Wikitravellers]] from around the globe, and thousands more in other languages (see left navigation bar for the full list). Check out the [[Wikitravel:Help|Help]] page to see how [[Wikitravel:Welcome, newcomers|you]] can edit any page '''right now''', or the [[Wikitravel:Project|Project]] page for more information about Wikitravel and getting involved.

| DotMBlurb= '''[[Rovaniemi]]''' is the capital of '''Finnish Lapland''' and is especially worth visiting during December because it is a home to Santa Claus. Most tourists come to visit '''Santa Claus Village''' where they can meet Santa himself and spend their time in Santapark- a vibrant, underground amusement park. In Rovaniemi you can try all sorts of cold and snowy activities like snowmobile safaris and dog sledding. <small>([[Rovaniemi|more...]])</small>

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| DotMBlurb= '''[[Des_Moines|Des Moines]]''' is the largest city in Iowa. The city and surrounding area has a vast array of activities for all ages, from the annual Iowa State Fair, rated by USA Today as one of the Top 10 best things to do in the summertime in the U.S., to the Des Moines Arts Festival in downtown, also rated as a Top 10 member for the nation's arts festivals, indeed there are plenty of sights and sounds to make your experience a memorable one. <small>([[Des_Moines|more...]])</small>

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| OTBPImage=[[File:Chefchaouen overview.jpg|none|150px]]

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| OTBPImage=[[File:Fryxellsee Opt.jpg|none|150px]]

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| OTBPBlurb= '''[[Chefchaouen]]''' is a gorgeous mountain city in northeastern [[Morocco]]. The picturesque medina, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains, is filled with white-washed homes with distinctive, powder-blue accents, and the call to prayer rings out of several mosques around the town in chorus. If you've got a few days to relax from the rigors of travel, this is a good place to do it. <small>([[Chefchaouen|more...]])</small>

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| OTBPBlurb= '''[[Antarctica]]''' is a land of extremes: it is the coldest and driest continent on Earth and has the highest average elevation. As the fifth largest continent in the world, Antarctica is also the most Southern, overlying the "South Pole". Scarcely touched by humans, the frozen land boasts breathtaking scenery, broken by only a handful of scientific bases and a "permanent" population of scientists numbering only a few thousand. Visitors to Antarctica generally must brave rough sea crossings aboard ice-strengthened vessels, but those who do are rewarded with amazing scenery and tremendous and unique wildlife. <small>([[Antarctica|more...]])</small>

{{newsitem| Storm snarls flights in Chicago Midwest|20 Dec 2012| A major winter storm is snarling flights in Chicago and elsewhere in the Midwest, a disruption that comes at the beginning of the busy Christmas travel rush. Southwest, the nation's largest low-cost carrier, says it is canceling some of its flights from both the Chicago Midway and Milwaukee airports. [http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2012/12/19/new-winter-storm-could-snarl-christmas-flights/1779441/]}}

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{{newsitem| Widespread Fires in Australia| 9 Jan 2013| More than 130 bush fires continue to burn across [[New South Wales]], including 20 that are out of control as fire crews race to contain blazes before a return to hot and windy conditions later in the week.The biggest threat is currently posed by a grass and shrub fire burning in an easterly direction about 11 kilometers outside Yass in the NSW southern tablelands region. Four months of record-breaking temperatures stretching back to September 2012 have produced what the government says are “catastrophic” fire conditions along the eastern and southeastern coasts of the country, where the majority of Australians live. [http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/firefighters-in-desperate-race-to-contain-fires-ahead-of-more-heat-to-come-20130109-2cgi3.html#ixzz2HVtuydAe]}}

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{{newsitem| Serious snowfall in the Alps| Dec 2012| If you are planning to ski in French or Swiss Alps be ready for lots of snow. Across the northern French Alps in particular, the huge amount of snowfall has had people raving that this is the best start to a ski season in recent memory. Of course, all that snow means an increased avalanche risk, so make sure you’re heeding local weather advisories. [http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20121219-serious-snowfall-in-the-alps-this-december]}}

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{{newsitem| Ferry Crash in New York| 9 Jan 2013| A New York passenger ferry has hit a dock during the Manhattan rush hour, injuring 57 people and tearing a hole in the vessel's bow. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has visited the scene of the crash, along with senior police, fire and emergency management officials. Police said the boat's crew passed alcohol breath tests given after the crash. The cause of the accident was under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20962553]}}

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{{newsitem| Delta Air Lines expands Caribbean connections|20 Dec 2012| Delta Air Lines has announced it will offer new and expanded service to five popular destinations in the Caribbean and Bermuda from John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Delta introduced these additional flights as a response to an increased demand for more connections between New York and tourist destinations in the Caribbean.[http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/delta-air-lines-expands-caribbean-connections/]}}

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{{newsitem| Police Fire Rubber Bullets, South Africa| 9 Jan 2013| South African police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at striking farm workers who blocked a highway in the grape-growing [[Western Cape]], the first clashes of a year likely to be marked by fractious labor relations. Police said they arrested 44 people and an emergency worker said four were taken to hospital with minor injuries from the rubber bullets. The strike in the Western Cape, home to South Africa's multi-billion-dollar wine industry, follows a similar walk-out in December in which warehouses were set on fire and at least two workers died in clashes with police. [http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/01/09/world/africa]}}

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{{newsitem| Tunisian National Strike Averted |11 Dec 2012| Tunisia's government has reached an agreement with the country's leading labor union to avoid a nationwide strike over economic woes and power disputes. Disputes between the moderate Islamist-led government and the union have led to rioting. Many Tunisians accuse the ruling Islamist party, Ennahda, of doing too little to reduce unemployment and curb police abuses.Similar complaints drove Tunisia's revolution two years ago, which set off uprisings across the Arab world. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/tunisian-national-strike-averted-deal-17937254#.UMfV6Hd5esk]}}

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{{newsitem| Delegation to North Korea to Urge More Internet Access| 9 Jan 2013| A private delegation including Google’s executive chairman is urging North Korea to allow more open Internet access and cellphones to benefit its citizens, during its visit to the country, which has some of the world’s tightest controls on information. The members were bringing a message that more openness would benefit North Korea. Most in the country have never logged onto the Internet, and the authoritarian government strictly limits access to the World Wide Web. [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/world/asia/delegation-to-north-korea-urges-more-access-to-internet-and-cellphones]}}

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{{newsitem|General strike could disrupt European flights|28 Nov 2012| Flights are likely to be disrupted for three days as a result of the Europe-wide general strike to begin on Wednesday, 28 Nov 2012. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) strike action has been backed by unions in [[Greece]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]] and the [[Canary Islands]]. Passengers booked to fly on all affected European sectors should check the updates on their airline's website.[http://www.travelmole.com]}}

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{{newsitem| Iranian Captives Freed in Prisoner Exchange in Syria| 9 Jan 2013| More than 2,000 prisoners incarcerated by the Syrian authorities were being released in return for 48 Iranians freed by rebels after five months in captivity in what appeared to be the biggest prisoner swap since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began almost two years ago. [http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/middleeast/index.html] }}

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{{newsitem| Brazil Police Cannot Help Violent Crime Victims| 9 Jan 2013| Police in Brazil's most populous state can no longer give first aid to victims injured in violent crimes or in shootouts with law enforcement officers. Sao Paulo State Public Safety Department says in a statement posted on its website that only emergency response teams and paramedics can provide treatment to victims at the scene of the crime or shootout with police. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazil-police-violent-crime-victims-18172176]}}

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{{newsitem| Siberia Thick With Wolves| 9 Jan 2013| Wolf packs are prowling at the edges of villages in the remote Sakha-Yakutia region of Siberia, eating livestock that includes horses and domesticated reindeer. They are slinking near towns like [[Verkhoyansk]], far above the Arctic Circle, where the mayor told a regional newspaper that he had organized a hunting party to kill as many as possible. In fact, the wolves have grown so thick in [[Yakutia]] that the governor recently declared a state of emergency, which wildlife experts said was largely symbolic and intended to draw attention to the problem. [http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/europe/index.html]}}

{{newsitem| Guatemala Burning Devil Festival |7 Dec 2012| This is a religious festival which usually takes place on December 7th across Guatemala, best celebrated in [[Antigua]]. At 6pm piles of rubbish and giant effigies of Devils/Diablos are burnt in an attempt to rid the country of anyevil presence. In traditional South American Festival fashion there are plenty of fireworks and marimba bands will drown out the crackle of burning cardboard. [http://www.festivalpig.com/Guatemalas-Burning-Devil.html]}}

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{{newsitem| Sydney Festival 2013| 5- 27 Jan 2013| Celebrations for the festival kick off with Festival First Night – a large scale free event in the parks, streets, and lane-lays of the city, which is an exclusive feast of music, dance, and visual spectacle on the streets. Reaching an audience of more than 200,000 people, the Festival First Night is celebrated on the first Saturday of the Festival while more free concerts await Sydneysiders and visitors on subsequent two Saturdays. The Sydney Festival creates a welcoming and unique global ambience which showcases the striking city of Sydney through a feast of world class performances in theatre, music, dance, fireworks, visual arts, and food. The peak celebrations of the festival are the Australia Day festivities on 26th January with ferry races and tall ship displays at the iconic Sydney Harbour. The festival with its wide range of free events and easy pricing policies for the shows with tickets ensures that everyone can participate in the Sydney Festival celebrations. [http://www.journeymart.com/holidays-ideas/festivals/sydney-festival.aspx]}}

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{{newsitem|Bridgewater Festival of Lights, Bridgewater|7 Dec- 25 Dec 2012| The festival features an incredible display of 200,000 lights holiday lights, including a huge animated village the entire family can walk through together. You will be able to taste and feel the holiday season, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate while standing beside a roaring fire. Hours of operation are 4:45pm to 8:30pm weeknights and 4:45pm to 9:30pm weekends. This is going to be the last year of the festival. [http://bridgewaterfestivaloflights.com/index.php] }}

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{{newsitem| International Kite Festival 2013, Gujarat |14 Jan 2013| Gujarat’s International Kite Festival is held every year in Ahmedabad. Skies above the city come alive with kites- in a hundred different colours, shapes and sizes, fluttering and darting above the rooftops, triumphantly cutting another kite’s string, and soaring way up above the earth. The Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation organises the International Kite Festival at a local stadium, where kite enthusiasts from all across the world show off their skills. [http://www.journeymart.com/holidays-ideas/festivals/international-kite-festival-gujarat.aspx]}}

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{{newsitem| Saint Lucy's Day |13 Dec 2012| This is a Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox Christian holy day that’s celebrated throughout the world, particularly in [[Sweden]], [[Scandinavia]] and [[Italy]]. St. Lucy Day celebrates, with Advent, the start of the Christmas season as well as the winter solstice. In [[Scandinavia]], St. Lucy Day celebrates the “Festival of Lights.” Scandinavia has some of the darkest winters in the world, so a celebration of light holds much meaning. In the [[United States]] it is celebrated with cookies on the mantel in states for a large number of people of Scandinavian ancestry, often centered around church events. [http://www.cafemom.com/group/107447/forums/read/17680448/How_to_celebrate_Saint_Lucys_Day]. }}

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{{newsitem| Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, China |Jan 2013| The event, held since 1963, can last more than a month, depending on the weather, and attracts visitors from around the world who come to see the elaborate ice and snow sculptures. This year's 'Ice and Snow World' features majestic ice castles and sculptures of fairytale characters equipped with LED lights, bringing a colorful and warm aura to the icy wonderland. [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/events/harbin-international-ice-snow-sculpture-festival/articleshowpics/17911634.cms]}}

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{{newsitem| Samurai Festival Tokyo |14 Dec 2012| This Asian festival is a A parade of "47 Ronin Warriors" accompanied by enemy lords, floats, folk dancers and traditional Japanese music with a fife band. The parade starts from Ako Castle and passes passing through the city's busiest streets, and reaches the JR Banshu-Ako Sta. [http://www.festivalpig.com/Samurai-Festival-Tokyo.html] }}

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{{newsitem|Oaxaca Radish Festival, Mexico |23 Dec 2012| This is a Mexican festival, known as Noche de Rábanos in Spanish. Everyone gathers in the Plaza Zócalo and an exhibition of sculptures made from a type of large red radish which can weigh up to 3.00 kilograms ensues. Sculptures are made to look like to Jesus and other regulars to the nativity scene as well as local folklore characters. This event manages to attract thousands of spectators every year, the event builds up from about a week before with local events organized and artists keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water. This event manages to attract thousands of spectators every year, the event builds up from about a week before with local events organized and artists keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water [http://www.festivalpig.com/Oaxaca-Radish-Festival.html]}}

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{{newsitem|Traditional Christmas Markets, Germany|23 Nov- 23 Dec 2012| The events are taking place nationwide with over 2,500 markets that will illuminate Germany's town squares. You would be able to see beautifully decorated stalls that offer handicrafts and gifts, festive baked treats, glühwein and delicious regional specialties. All the while, choirs and brass-bands provide festive musical accompaniment. Particularly popular with visitors are [[Nuremberg]]'s Christkindlesmarkt and the Striezelmarkt in [[Dresden]].[http://www.germany.travel/en/specials/christmas/christmas.html]}}

Revision as of 22:02, 9 January 2013

Since 2003, Wikitravel is the original free, complete, up-to-date and reliable worldwide travel guide, and the premier travel wiki on the Internet. So far we have 100,457 English-language pages written and edited by our 156,150 registered Wikitravellers from around the globe, and thousands more in other languages (see left navigation bar for the full list). Check out the Help page to see how you can edit any page right now, or the Project page for more information about Wikitravel and getting involved.

Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa. The city and surrounding area has a vast array of activities for all ages, from the annual Iowa State Fair, rated by USA Today as one of the Top 10 best things to do in the summertime in the U.S., to the Des Moines Arts Festival in downtown, also rated as a Top 10 member for the nation's arts festivals, indeed there are plenty of sights and sounds to make your experience a memorable one. (more...)

Antarctica is a land of extremes: it is the coldest and driest continent on Earth and has the highest average elevation. As the fifth largest continent in the world, Antarctica is also the most Southern, overlying the "South Pole". Scarcely touched by humans, the frozen land boasts breathtaking scenery, broken by only a handful of scientific bases and a "permanent" population of scientists numbering only a few thousand. Visitors to Antarctica generally must brave rough sea crossings aboard ice-strengthened vessels, but those who do are rewarded with amazing scenery and tremendous and unique wildlife. (more...)